Storage battery



F. G. MANWARING.

STORAGE BATTERY. APPLICATION FILED MAY 2 5,

Patented'une T13, T1922.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOO n o COO OOOOGOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOO narran stares enfrentar easiest FREDERICK Gr. MANWARING, OF CAMPGAW, NEW JERSEY.

STDRAGE BATTERY.

forated, and the perforations filled with the active material. The frames are usually formed of an alloy of lead, and in order to provide for the necessary strength they are given considerable body. Mibreover, to avoid distortion, the lead is alloyed with antimony, which gives hardness. This is an objection. There is liability of loss of the active material or paste from the perforations or pockets in the frames, especially if the battery is repeatedly charged. The frames are likely to buckle, on account of local action. Vhen one or more plates .buckle they will touch each other and cause an internal short circuit. This buckling is largely due to lack of uniformity of action of the electrolyte upon the plates; the circulation of the electrolyte being apt to be slow and uneven, since there is commonly used a channeled Wooden separator, which .is placed next tothe lead plate. Dependence is placed upon the circulation of the electrolyte through these channels to act upon the plate. fter some use, distortions occur in the plates and also in the separators, the wood becomes soft and gets pressed up against the plate, and eventually rests almost flat against the surface of the plate or frame. Therefore the circulation of the electrolyte is restricted, and it becomes less rapid and eliicient in all parts of the plate, the action being greatest on the bottom part, where the electrolyte has the best access to the plate. This disparity causes'uneven eX-' pansion and curving of the plate, and hence buckling is one ofthe principal troubles, particularly when the battery is drawn on heavily, as when starting an automobile.

Again. lead sulphate is apt to be formed by the discharge of the battery, this material Y i assuming a crystalline condition if the cell remains in a discharged .condition too long.

'the cellular stone partitions or slabs.

specification of Lettersratent. pmmd Jun@ yg, 319220 Application mea May a5, 1920. serial No. 384,188.

needed for the electro-chemical work. Since the lead plate in an ordinary battery is supported at lonly one point by a lug at the top thereof, the plate must be made quite rigid, and hence grids have been devised in a variety of shapes in attempting to overcome this diliiculty.

The objects of the invention are to overcome these and other difficulties, and produce at small cost a storage battery of greater durability and better capable of withstanding hard usage.

To these and other ends, within the outer casing or tank there is introduced a structure which comprises a series of compartments, and in each compartment there is placed a plate. The compartment structure may be made of cellular artificial stone or liltering material, which serves as a reservoir for electrolyte. Each compartment is filled partly by its frame and partly by the active material or paste; and the electrolyte has free and rapid circulation through the cellular stone, and is given uniform access ,to all portions of the surface of the paste.

The tendency to local action and buckling is thus reduced or overcome; and, moreover, even if there is a buckling tendency, the paste and plates would retain their positions and shapes, because of the rigidity of i .I solid structure is produced. preventing the liability of the paste becoming ejected or misplaced.

Since the active material and the frames are completely confined and supported in a substantial manner, it is practical to vmake the frames of far less weight than heretofore for the same capacity.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings,

' Figure 1 is a plan of a cell or battery embodying the present improvements in one form. i

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken at about the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

receive these frames, there is provided aA chambered structure, one chamber for each frame; and this .structure comprises a box which lines the tank, and partitions which divide the box into the chambers or com partments. 'llhe bottom of this lining box is designated as 16, its ends as 17, and its side walls as 18.v Its partitions are indicated at 20, and serve to separate the frames from one another.

The tank is filled to the proper height with an electrolyte 21, such as sulphuric acid diluted with water. This electrolyte permeates the material. of the chambered box, which is a cellular artificial stone. @ther cellular rigid material may be used. A good stone for the purpose is the article which is sold under the name of Filtros for filtering purposes, and through which the electrolyte may circulate freely, since it is so openly lcellular that air may be easil blown through it. These walls and parutions may therefore serve as reservoirs for electrolyte, so that the proportion of electrolyte may be relatively large as compared with ordinary batteries. Moreover, the electrolyte is maintained in close proximity to the points where it is required, being thus superior to the usual batteries.

A further office, of the compartments is to confine and `support .the solid active materials; the walls of the com artments being suiiiciently rigid and durab e for this purpose, While by reason of their cellular structure they permit ready access of the electro.-

lyte to all portions of the active materials.

Each compartment is filled partly by aframe 14 or 15, and partly by active material, such as lead peroxide 22 in each positive compartment, and pure spo? .lead 23 in each negative compartment. achl frame is relatively thin, and the active material fills the chamber upon each side thereof, and also fills perforations 324 formed in the frame. In assembling, the lactive material or paste may be placed in the compartment,

and then the frame maybe thrust down.

into t-he paste until the frame rests upon the fioor of the cellular box and the paste fills to the top of the chamber. rlhe paste cannot pass through the stone slabs which form the walls of the compartment. In otherwords, the paste is filtered out by the cellular slabs, in which the electrolyte freely circulates. The posltive and negative frames and the separating slabs are built up next to one another, the frames .being completely separated from one another by the slabs, making an entirely closed or solid structure, so that no paste can be ejected from its compartment. The provision of the cellular separators (one on each side of each frame) conduces to rapid and uniform circulation of the electrolyte. Tendency of the frames to buckle is checked or overcomerby the unilthe action is uniform all over,.there is little or no localized action, and hence little or no buckling tendency. rlhe use of the cellular hard separators or filteringslabs to form compartments for the separate plates permits the paste to be packed in the compartments in'loose form if desired. It is unnecessary to compress the paste in order to hold it in place. t is unnecessary to form a ,cement-like material inthe perforations ofthe frames, because the paste is supported between the cellular stone separators The cell or battery is less delicate and will withstand harder treatment than an ordinary battery, because it is ca able of heavyy confined.` A battery made according to the,

present improvements may be short-circuited across its terminals and run rapidly down to zero, and upon recharging, the battery will be found not to have suffered damage; whereas such treatment of an ordinary battery would be likely to inflict serious injury.

If it should be attempted to overcharge an ordinary battery heavily, to decompose ini active lead sulphate which may'have been formed, it will be found that the gases generated in the interior of the paste will tend to eject the paste from the frame. This difficulty is overcome by the present improvements, because the active material is confined, as already explained, so that it cannot be ejected or displaced, and hence the battery may safely be given an overcharge sufiicientlyheav-y to decompose the inactive sulphate and reform active material.

lit will be seen that buckling of the perforated frames could not occur unless the separating slabs were first crushed; but these may be made too rigid and substantial to be liable to such injury, especially as soft thin lead is vused in construction of the plates.

l make each framelll, 15 of a sheet of very thin rolled lead (thus reducingweight) perforated to receive the paste; thls frame i heretofore.

- release may be of any desired form, and, because of the method of construction, it is relatively light, inasmuch as it need not be used for supporting purposes, but only for collecting current. The invention is not limited to lead frames which are soft, although soft lead has advantages, for example, it lacks strength or rigidly, and is not liable to cause injury timony may be used if desired. Pure leady may be used, if desired, without liability of rapid deterioration, since it is faced on both sides with the active material. rllhe frame is well supported'by the stone slabs, and by the stone floor upon which its lower edge rests, so that there is no need either to give the frame a heavy body, or to make it hard, for the purpose of affording support, as lts principal function is to serve as aA collector for the current. rl`he frames may be relatively large and light, since they are not depended upon for support. They may be substantially lighter in weight than frames havingthe same capac- Aityin an ordinary battery, since they need have no heavier' body than is required for electro-chemical requirements. The frame does not need to have the strength of an ordinary frame, which has a supporting lug at the top. Since the active part of the battery is the paste, the metal in the plate needonly be sullicient to collect the current; and the frame may be therefore alight rolled sheet-v metal conductor or grid.

I am aware that it was proposed in the patent t0 W. G. Hatch, No. 141,413, of November 25, 1890, to employ with the-lead plates intermediate plates of sti, porous material. which the liquid was intended to permeate, and it being suggested that their stiffness would enablev them to maintain their form when said intermediate plates and the lead plates were clamped together; and for 'said intermediate porous plates there was v suggested, in said patent, the use of eart enware or other acid-resisting material. l employ filtering slabs, which are of open cellular structure or ofa scoriaceous nature, through which air could be directly blown. rlhis opencellular nature of the filter, permits that'free and rapid circulation ofthe elec-l trolyte which is necessary in practice.

Earthenware,

lar or` scoriaceous, and if, there shouldbe any oozing of electrolyte into orout of its pores, .the action would be so slow as to be which is suggested in said Hatch patent, is not a filter, nor-is it cellu' prohibitive in practice, since earthenware would not alord even so free a circulation of electrolyte as is afforded by the ordinary ribbed -wooden separators. Filtros, by reason ofcapillary attraction, absorbs water like a sponge, and the thick walls'and top of the box therefore aiiord a large reservoir for electrolyte, which is also self-circulating through the separator plates from edge to edge of each, and hence is given ample and constant opportunity to affect the active material throughout the width and height of each compartment, these compartments being material-tight, in that the active material cannot pass/from .one compartment to another.A y

rlhe ends of the separating slabs fit closely in vertical grooves 25 formed in the inner faces of the end stones 17 and the top surilace of the floor stone 16 is formed with corresponding grooves 26 to receive the bottom edges of the separators. The latter are thus firmly and closely supported at their bottoms and ends, to prevent escape or displacement of the active material from the plates. The end stones 17 may be rabbeted to the side walls 18, as at 27; and the bottom stone 16 may be likewise fitted to the side walls, as at 28. rllhe entire stone compartment work may be assembled and then introduced into the tank, which may closely confine the same. Terminals 29, 30, collector bars 31. 32, and vents or caps 33 may also be provided; the frames having ears 34 connected to the bars after the frames are set dowrn into )the paste. ln order to facilitate the insertion and withdrawal of the stone compartment work, and to gain other advantages, the same may be held separated from the sides, ends and floor of the tank by means of cleats or rlbs 35, 36, 37. lThese cleats leave considerable space around the stonework for additional electrolyte, and favor free circulation. The side cleatsl 35 may be either horizontal or vertical.

" rllhe perforations 24 may be pressed inV the frame. 1n a manner to form projecting burrs or flanges 38 on opposite sides of the frames. some of the flanges projecting on one side of the plate, and some on the other side. rll`hese flanges may project sufficiently to contact with the adjacent stone slabs, so that the frames may be directly supported by the slabs. The frames are thus positioned centrally. of the compartments, and not subject to sidewise displacement, and are well supported against local deformations. The frames are set in place after the compartment work is slipped into the tank. The frames do not need to have perforations in all forms of the invention; but the per-Y the paste Within the compartments.

Variations may be resorted to Within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used Without others.

Having thus described my Ainvenion, 1 claim: y

1. The combination of an electrolyte tank, stone partitions or separators dividing it into compartments, said stone partitionsl having an open cellular structure for the rapid circulation of electrolyte therethrough, and frames inserted one in each compartment and provided lWith active material.

2. The combination of an electrolyte tank, stone partitions or separators dividing it into compartments, said stone partitions having an open cellular structure for the rapid circulation of electrolyte therethrough, and frames inserted one in each compartment and provided with active material, the partitions or` separators supporting the frames and preventing the ejection or displacement of the active material.

3. The combination of an electrolyte tank, stone partitions or separators dividing it into compartments, said stone partitions having an open cellular structure for the rapid circulation of electrolyte therethrough, and frames inserted one in each compartment and provided with active material, the partitions or separators supporting the frames ,and preventing the ejection or displacement of the active material, each compartment b eipg filledby its frame and the active materia 4. The combination of an electrolyte tank, stone-'partitions or separators dividing it into compartments, said stonel partitions being porous for the circulation of electrolyte therethrough, and frames inserted' one in each compartment and provided With 'active material, the frames tbeing inserted in the active material, which is in the form of loose paste.

5. The combination of an electrolyte tank, stone partitions or separators dividing it into compartments, saidstone partitions being porous for the circulation ot electrolyte therethrough, and frames inserted one in each compartment and provided with active material, .the Apartitions or separators sup porting the frames and preventing the ejection or displacement of the active material, said partitions, said active material and said frames forming a solid structure;

6. Thecombination of an electrolyte tank,

Laisse@ a box inserted in the tank, slabs or separators dividing the box into compartments, said porous .for the circulation of electrolyte therethrough, and frames insertedv one in each compartment and provided with active material, each of said frames being a thin sheet of soft lead and resting upon-its bottom edge land supported throughout by the porous separators.

8. The combination of an electrolyte tank, a box inserted in the tank, slabsor separators dividin the box into compartments, said box an separators being porous for the circulation of electrolyte therethrough, and frames in the compartments, each trame provided with active material, said box and separators being formed of filtros.

9. The combination of an electrolyte tank, a box inserted in the'tank, stone slabs or separators dividing the box into compartments,'said box and separators having an open cellular construction for the rapid circulation of electrolyte therethrough, and frames in the` compartments, each frame provided With active material.

10. The combination ot' an electrolyte tank, a box inserted in the tank, slabs or separators dividin the box into compartments, and trames 1n the compartments, each frame provided with active material, thel separators being of open cellular construction to permit free circulation oi the electrolyte to all parts ofthe face of the active material, and to act as filters against said active material to prevent escape or displacement thereof, and said box being also cellularto permit circulation of electrolyte.

11. The combination of a tank or casing for electrolyte, a box lining the same, and slabs or separators dividing the box into compartments, said box and separators being 'porous for the circulation of electrolyte therethrough, each compartment containing active material into which is inserted' a frame to fill the compartment.

12. The combination of a tank or casing for electrolyte, a box lining the same', and slabs or separators dividing the box into porous for the circulation of electrolyte therethrough, each compartment containing lactive material into Which is inserted a trame to fill the compartment, each frame being made of thin rolled pure lead having per forations filled with paste.

compartments, said box and separators being 13. The combination of a tank or casing for electrolyte, a box lining the same an remate slabs or separators dividing the box ,into compartments said 4box 'and separators being: 'porous for the' circulation of electrolyte therethrough, each compartment containing active material into which is inserted a frame to lill the com artment, the frame bein faced on both si es With the active mateand the separating slabs tting in the grooves.

ria

14. The combination ot an electrolyte tank, a b ox inserted in the tank, slabs or separators dividin lthe box into compartments, said box an separators .being porous for the circulation of electrolyte therethrough, and frames in the compartments each frame providedv with active material, grooves beingformed in the sides of the box,

15. The combination of -an, electrolyte tank, a boxv inserted in the tank, slabs orl separators dividin the box into compartments, said box an separators being porous for the circulation of v`electrolyte therethrough, andY frames-in the compartments, each frame provided-with' active material,

lthe sides, ends and'bottom of the box being Arabbeted together. v

16. 'lhe combination of a tank or casing for electrolyte a box lining the same, slabs or separators dividing the box into compart-v ments saidbox and separators being porous for the `circulation of electrolyte there'- through, each compartment containing active' material intowhich is inserted a frame to lill the' com artment, said frames having ears, and colector bars connected to sald ears. v

17. The combination of a tankV or casing for'electrolyte, a box lining the same, slabs dividing the boxinto compartments, each compartment containing actiife material into lwhich is inserted a frame.- to ll the compartment, said frames having ears, collector bars connected to said. ears, land a cap stone to cover the#4 compartments and serving as a reservoirfor additional electrolyte, said box, slabs and cap stone being porous for thecirculation` of electrolyte therethrough. c

18. The combination yof an electrol e tank, stone partitions or separators dividing it into compartments,l said stone partitions 'being porous'for the circulation of electrolyte therethrough, and frames inserted one in each compartment and provided with active material, the partitions or separators supporting the frames and preventing thel ejection or displacement of the active material, the erforations in said-trames bein formed vv1th burrsfor flanges projectingj'a ternately on opposite sides of the frames.

' 19. lin a storage-battery, the combination .of a box or container, a series of fixed parc cess to theactive material throughout the v height a'nd Width of each compartment.

FREDERICK Gr. MANWARING. Witnesses:

M'. J. HAn'rUNe, MATILDA Armeno. 

